The patina process has been around for centuries. Since
the dawning of the bronze age people noticed that metals, particularly soft
metals, changed color over time. At first they thought this was similar to
the moss growing on rocks and trees. In a way they were right.
Patinas are caused by the combination of acids, water which creates rust, and
sunshine and will grow organically on any exposed or untreated metal. With
the application of various chemicals and heat, patinas of varying colors and
textures can be etched onto the surface. And if the piece is left to age
in the sun the patina will continue to age and the colors will often experience
dramatic change. (use scroll bar to continue reading)

Ancient patinas were achieved over time through the
application of more organic chemicals like urine, citrus fruits, particularly
lemon and grapefruit, and vinegar. Many of these techniques are still used
today. A certain chemical by itself will generate a certain color and
texture depending on the strength of the blend. When a chemical solution
is applied to a surface that was preheated by either the sun or flame, the
chemical will experience an almost immediate reaction and reveal a full palette
of colors. As the artist heats the chemicals on the metal surface with a
flame color change will accelerate. Over time, metal artists developed
techniques and approaches using flame to jumpstart and promote the process.
With heat they could control the application of chemicals by color and texture,
and create layers of patina to add depth. As the artist passes the torch
over the solution and it warms to about 200 degrees, he is most often rewarded
with the sight of new colors springing forth from the work in front of the
flame of his torch. The process of holding in your hand a hot torch made
live by the compressed air that creates concentrated energy in the form of. a
1,700 degree flame that you can then apply to exotic chemicals and metal
to elicit a totally unique and always surprising palette of color and pattern
is a fulfilling and satisfying experience. You now possess an exciting
experience and a very unique object. Like crystals and snowflakes, no two
will ever be the sameAt the end of your process you end up with a one of
kid item whose colors and textures were controlled by you knowledge and your
ability to mix the chemicals, and blend them is the right proportions, and by
the decisions you made on where and how much solution to apply to one spot, what
solutions to place adjacent, and what solutions to combine as layers. And
then you decided to apply heat. More preheat perhaps in this area than
that. A brush of flame over hear, perhaps a shot of blowtorch flame
over there. The piece softens, bends, and twists to accept the chemicals
and in the end reveals its own story through the elements of color, figure,
blending, and shadow.

Like the actor on the stage the piece itself is front and
center. Like the actor the piece is limited by certain rules. A line
must be delivered on time with perfect inflection and no last minute change.
The actor is burdened by creating in a box which is bound by the clothing,
associates, and lines assigned to him. And it must all be done on queue.
But it is the artist who has the script, controls the setting, determines the
pace. He is the one who has been gifted with the mind of man. He
alone possesses intelligence, passion, and skill. He is the one having the
ability to remember past experiences, and the reason to act on them. He
can inspire a vision, form a plan, and either executed or pr deviate at any
time. With his mind and soul, acting as titular head of his passion, he
alone can create this form and this substance to arrange composition and context
not to breathe life into dead metal, rather to breathe life into those who see
it.